About

Board of Commissioners

A 21-member elected Board of Commissioners governs your Lake County Forest Preserves. They guide the agency's mission and approve all land acquisitions, restoration and improvement projects, educational and cultural programs, the annual budget and other administrative actions. View Board member compensation. These same officials also serve as County Board members, overseeing all other aspects of Lake County government.

Integrity | Accountability

Each elected member of our Board is committed to being open, transparent and accountable for their actions as they govern and make decisions on behalf of their constituents and for the sustainability of the Lake County Forest Preserves. They lead with integrity and professionalism as public servants to you and the land. If you have any questions about actions or decisions made by Board members, or if you would like to invite a member to speak to your community group, school or other organization, please contact them directly.

Officers of the Board & Executive Office

Committees

Each member of our Board serves on one or more standing committees, and may also be appointed by the president to special committees.

Standing Committees

Finance
Supervises all financial affairs and policies of the District, including bond issues; applications for grants; preparation of budgets, appropriations and tax levies; wage and job classification policies; compensation and benefit program; revisions to personnel policies; collective bargaining; insurance and safety; user fees; facility license and concession agreements; encroachments; and all legislative and legal matters. The committee also reviews fundraising strategies. The committee may not commit funds or incur liabilities except as approved or authorized by the Board.

Operations
Reviews and makes recommendations concerning operational affairs and policies of the District, including all general regulations pertaining to the operation, maintenance, programming and promotion of all District properties; the use of District facilities, programs and services; and the conservation of District lands, waters, flora and fauna.

Planning
Responsible for studying and reviewing potential land acquisition sites, and, where appropriate, obtains appraisals, surveys, environmental reports, title reports and other acquisition information; recommends acquisition of sites to the Board; reviews, provides direction to staff regarding, and recommending approval of any agreement proposed by an owner of property adjacent to the District's property.

The committee sends any plan or use that would (i) have a significant impact on District land or other District plans or uses, or (ii) involve a new use of such land, to all standing committees so that they have an opportunity, within a 120-day time period, to review the potential impacts. If the committee votes to recommend the approval of such plan or use after review has been provided, the plan or use will be implemented only after it has been prioritized and funded as part of the annual budget policies review, budget ordinance, and appropriation ordinance process.

MEET YOUR BOARD

E-NEWSLETTERS

Congressman Robert Dold (R-Illinois, 10th District, Waukegan, Highland Park, Round Lake Beach) speaking on the floor of the United States House of Representatives on June 4, 2015, about our 100-year Vision for Lake County.